Kaia Gerber speaks out for the first time since brother Presley’s death at 27 in a tribute

Kaia Gerber has shared an emotional tribute to her older brother, Presley Gerber, following his death at the age of 27.

The 25-year-old model and actress posted about her brother on Instagram on Sunday, 18 October, sharing a throwback video of the pair as children, a photo of them on the beach and a series of written messages about her grief.

Presley, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died on 20 September 2026.

‘I am learning how to love you when I cannot see you’

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Kaia (@kaiagerber)

In her Instagram caption, Kaia Gerber wrote, “i love you the bluest, to the moon and back and back again, forever big brother.”

Alongside the childhood video, she shared a lengthy message explaining how difficult it has been to come to terms with Presley’s death.

“Prez, I don’t have the words, and maybe the tiny mercy is that we didn’t need them all along. Words fail and words subtract and words summarise and words always lack truth. And how naive of me to believe that language could transcend grief,” she wrote.

“I’ve read all of the books and I have none of the answers. My articulation is no match against this, the magnitude of losing you. I am, quite literally, down on my f***ing knees,” Kaia continued. “You know how much I loved being your sister. It has always been, and will forever be, my favourite thing about myself.”

She added, “I came into this world with a white-knuckle grip around you. I had more love for you than I knew what to do with. And now that it has nowhere obvious to go, I’m certain it’s going to swallow me whole.

“You believed, always believed, in people. You met cruelty not with anger, but with confusion. And curiosity. You believed people were inherently good because, Presley, you are inherently good.”

Kaia also recalled how Presley would look out for her when they were younger. Reflecting on that memory, she wrote, “But when I held the earring they took from your body, all I could think was: That belongs to you. And I really f***ing wish you hadn’t gone first this time.”

She admitted, “I am learning how to love you when I cannot see you. How to tell you something without picking up my phone to call you. How to be your sister in a world that I can’t reach for you in. I don’t know how to do that yet.”

Kaia ended her tribute by describing Presley as her best friend and protector. “My darling brother, I do adore you. I love my brother. My brother is dead. And this party sucks so bad without you, Prez. My best buddy, my great protector, the hardest I’ve ever laughed and the one true love of my life, you lit all of my candles and took all of my monsters away. And I love you, and I love you, and I love you. Only you know how much. Thank you for being here.”

Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber also spoke out

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Cindy Crawford (@cindycrawford)

Kaia’s post came shortly after her mum, Cindy Crawford, shared the family’s first public statement about Presley’s death. Cindy, 60, posted a black-and-white portrait of her son on Instagram, sharing a message signed by herself, her husband Rande and Kaia.

“We are beyond heartbroken to lose our beloved son and brother. We feel so blessed to have had Presley in our lives for 27 years,” they wrote.

The family went on to describe Presley as “a sweet, beautiful soul who loved and is loved, now and forever”. They also said they were proud of the kindness and vulnerability he showed the world.

“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from so many who know and love our family and even strangers who feel our pain. Til we meet again our sweet boy. We love you forever, Mom, Dad and Kaia,” the statement continued.

Rande, 64, also shared a personal tribute to his son on Instagram Stories, reposting a video of Presley and Kaia as children. “My life, my world, my heart. A moment that will live in me forever,” he wrote alongside a red heart emoji.

Presley died on 20 September, aged 27, at Resolutions Living, a sober living facility in Santa Monica, California. The investigation into Presley’s death is ongoing, and his official cause of death has not been confirmed.

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